NORTH AMERICAN ROCK PLANTS First . Scries BY W. H. A. PREECE God grows weary of great nations, but never of little flowers Sill HABINDRANATH TAGUIIE. ILLUSTBATFI WITH PHOTOGRAPHS BY A. NICHULLS New York 1957 THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Copynght, 1917, BY THE M A C M I L L A N COMPANY. All rights reserved no part of this book may be reproduced in any foim without permission in writing irom the publisher, except by a icviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in magazine or ...
Read More
NORTH AMERICAN ROCK PLANTS First . Scries BY W. H. A. PREECE God grows weary of great nations, but never of little flowers Sill HABINDRANATH TAGUIIE. ILLUSTBATFI WITH PHOTOGRAPHS BY A. NICHULLS New York 1957 THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Copynght, 1917, BY THE M A C M I L L A N COMPANY. All rights reserved no part of this book may be reproduced in any foim without permission in writing irom the publisher, except by a icviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in magazine or newspaper Set up and punted Published September, 1937 M pnntiiKi JKINTHD IN 1HR UNtTKD STATES OF AMKRICA NORWOOD 1 KESS IINOTYPK, INC NORWOOD, MASS, V S A TO EVE FOREWORD A glance through the illustrations in this book, or an inspection of American alpines and rock plants in their native haunts, is sufficient to convince any gardener that North America abounds in first class rock-garden plants of surpassing beauty, admirably adapted for rock-garden planting if they could be grown easily. True, many of them are not too difficult, but it has long been a matter of comment among rock gardeners that North American alpines and rock plants are less m evidence under cultivation because they are mitfy compared with those originating elsewhere. Mr. Preece in his preface quotes a letter from a British horticulturist complaining that they are too difficult for the ordinary gardener, and, speaking for the northeastern part of the United States, I believe I am safe in saying that most rock gardeners find that plants from the Alps and Hima layas thrive with less fuss and bother than most North American alpines, especially if those from the western mountains are included. These last, ingeneral, are notably perverse and inclined to either sulk or die under eastern conditions. Why this is so is a moot point. Probably, as the author suggests, it is due in part to a lack of knowl edge of their requirements, and to the use of plants collected from the wild instead of using material which has been propagated and partly acclimated in a nursery. If lack of knowledge is the cause of our failures it is high time for it to be remedied and it seems to me that this book fills the bill and will go far towards solving the problems attached to the cultivation of the intractable kinds included in the First Series of one hundred American Rock Garden Plants. I have had the privilege of seeing Mr. Preeces collection and know he can grow difficult alpines. The book is a record of first hand experiences in growing these plants and this alone makes it extraordinarily valuable. The cultural sug gestions should be valid with but few modifications for conditions in Foreword the British Isles, but, as Mr. Preece would be the first to admit, for the larger part of the United States changes in practice must be made to suit local conditions. But even so, the illuminating directions given by the author should enable those who have had some ex perience in growing alpines to whom the book will make its greatest appeal to modify their procedures to fit their own soils and climate. Frankly, I am not quite so optimistic as Mr. Preece concerning the possibility of growing the really difficult alpines from the Rockies and western mountains at least not under our conditions in the East south of Boston in areas not much above sea level but this book will be a real help in cultivating those that can begrown, and I am sure that, if Mr. Preeces directions are followed, many plants formerly considered impossible will now find happy homes in eastern rock gardens. I think that the authors selection of plants for this first series is on the whole admirable. Personally I would have preferred to have him restrict himself to the lesser-known and more difficult species but he has preserved a nice balance between the mirls and the easy doers which is doubtless much better than catering to any one persons predilections...
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. First edition. Very good. Ex-library copy with expected markings and stampings. Please Note: This book has been transferred to Between the Covers from another database and might not be described to our usual standards. Please inquire for more detailed condition information.